St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-05-20
COMPANY BAT IT'S BEST.
An Exhibition by 1the Gallant
Militia Men,

Arrayed in their new uniforms of the
regular army pattern, faced with white.
every buttGn, brass announcement and
rifle as polished and bright as hands and
brush could make them, Company d,
of the Minnesota National Guard, filed
into Exposition hallslaSt evening shortly
after 5 o'clock to give an exhibition drill
prior 10 leaving for Washington to par
ticipate III the national drill. Camp was
broken at Fort Smelling, rwhere the boys
have been stationed since last Thursday,
early yesterday afternoon. and in order
that the men might be in good trim
for their night performance, Capt.
Bean had them transported by rail
instead Of marching them into the
city. Long before the hour fixed for the
drill to begin groups of interested spec
tatorS trO0ped into the vast hall and the
seats near the entrance having been re-
served for the ladies, during their
evolutionS the Soldiery were compelled
to face a masked battery of bright eyes
and smiling faces formed by their
sweethearts and wives. Tier upon tier
OF handsomely dressed women rose like
a parterre Of bright flowers, and by their
smiles and enthusiasm encouraged the
members of Company ID to their best eff
fort i'll showing the proficiency that can
be attained i'll the manual Of arms. 1t
gave springiness to the gait of the
boys
To DE THE CENTER
OF such a crowd of spectators. and if
they DO equally as well at the national
capital some of the crack companies
entered will haze to be careful of their
laureiS. A great deal of admiration
was expressed at the natty appearance
OF the company in the uniforms, worn
for the first time, and the machine-Iike
precision in executing the commands of
the drill master was enhanced by the
neat white gloved hands and heimetted
heads, respondent with brass. that
nodded IN unison with the tactics, ac-
cording to UptOn's manual. Unfortun-
ately, the floor OF the Exposition hall
was not adapted to drill purposes.
being very slippery from recent
coating or wax, and during the evening
several members of the company slipped
down during the maneuvers, desDite the
fact that Sprinliling of rosin was used
Tor their benefit. One or two incidents
OF tliis sort made it incumbent uDon
capt. Bean TO apologize for emitting
several pet movements of the COMPANY.
notably double timing, which the floor
prevented, The drill for the evening
was divided into four Sections-the
school OF the soldier. manual of arms.
f0adlng and firing and school of the
company-in which some very intricate
and beautiful marching was exhibited
IN TACT, the drill was most successful
one. and proved eonelusiyely that
the time spent by Company ID since
the LIST OF Jauuary'liad not been in vain.
Each man fitted i'll his place as if
tongued and gr0oyed by Il master hand.
Scattered through the spectators were p
number OF officers of the National
Guard, among them being Mai. Reeve,
elected last night lieutenant colonel of
the First regiment, and Capt Pierce, OF
Company q of Red Wing, who was
elected to succeed Maj Reeve. At the
conclusion OF the drill the participants
marched to the Ryan cafe, where
parting supper had been ten
dered them, and a most enjoy
able finale marked day of hard work
preparatory to move on Washington.
Ibis evening at 1870 p. III. Special
train carrying Gov. McGifl and his staff.
Company ID, of st. Paul, and Company
a of Minneapolis, will leave for the
seat of contest over tire. Minnesota q
Northwestern rSilroad The train will
comprise four or five, ,sleepers, day
coach, baggage ear and7engine, and fast
time will be made before the destination
is reached, Sunday afternoon. There
VIII I've large contingent of Minnesota
ans on the same train, and among those
who lave signified their intention of
De!ng vi the party are Hon. Ill. y. Strait,